A lot of people considering switching to solar energy are often aware of the environmental impacts but somehow miss solar’s ability to reduce electrical costs. Its ability to lower utility payments is one of the driving reasons solar power is becoming increasingly popular in commercial, residential, and rural settings.
To understand how solar panel systems can help reduce energy costs, it can be helpful first to know how solar panels work. When solar panels are installed, they’re slanted at around a 30-40 degree angle and are placed away from trees or buildings that could cast a shade. This allows them to absorb a maximum amount of sunlight. As the sunlight hits the panels, photons knock electrons loose and free them of atoms, which generates a flow of electricity. Solar panels are composed of photovoltaic cells. Photovoltaic is the scientific term for “converting the sun’s rays into electricity.” These cells are linked together throughout each solar panel.
In order to get solar panels to produce power, the photovoltaic cells need to develop an electric field by separating a positive and negative charge. Most solar panels use phosphorous coated silicon as a top negative charge and boron as a bottom positive charge. As these cells turn into usable power, it’s transferred to conductive metal plates and then moved into wires. These wires store energy and send a flow of electricity to the directed location.
So now that we have a better idea of how electricity is stored and generated through solar panels, we can pivot to how this helps businesses and communities save money on their electric bills. Put quite simply, the sun creates energy for you, so you don’t have to rely on your utility company for power. When your business is connected to the wiring storing and generating solar energy, your meter isn’t running. When your meter doesn’t run, it’s instantly reducing your electrical costs. Depending on the solar panel system, solar energy can power buildings, homes, and farms even in extreme weather conditions.
The best part about solar energy is that it doesn’t only work when the sun is shining, and solar energy can be stored for future use. The solar panels store and save excess electricity. Some homes and businesses can install an energy battery that stores this extra energy for emergencies, power outages, or other circumstances. Between the energy stored and generated, solar power helps businesses and homeowners to avoid relying on utility companies and significantly reduces energy costs.
The cost of developing a solar energy system depends on the project. For example, residential homes looking to generate solar power will be a lot less expensive than developing a large-scale solar system on a commercial building or constructing a solar farm on unused land.
For example, the cost of solar panel installation on a home may run between $20,000 – $40,000, while solar farm construction can cost anywhere between $800,000 – $1M, depending on the land condition and location. Experts often cite the incredible return on investment when considering the initial costs of solar panel installation. Homes and businesses save so much money on electrical bills that the installation phase eventually pays for itself.
The developer or the homeowner typically maintains residential solar panels installed on houses. Companies like Sunlight Energy Advisors provide quarterly maintenance packages to ensure that the solar panels are working correctly year-round for large-scale commercial projects and solar energy farms.
Contact Sunlight Energy Advisors today to speak to a representative to learn more about how solar farms can reduce electrical costs and provide other unique benefits to your community.
